Car purchase delayed

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 14

Car purchase delayed

The purchase of a new car for the Christchurch City Council’s mechanical services engineer was postponed by the council last evening until a light truck for the collection of refuse from certain areas of the Port Hills has been bought. The works and traffic committee had recommended that the car be purchased, but a member of the committee, Cr W. Massey, opposed the recommendation saying the light refuse truck should be bought first. “The council has approved the purchase of this light truck time and time again, but nothing has been done. There are areas on the hills which have no collection from the property because of the danger of taking a large truck up there,” said Cr Massey.

“The purchase of this truck seems to have been pushed aside, and now we nave a request for another vehicle for replacement purposes only. We should obtain what is necessary first,’’ he said.

Cr H. G. Hay said the issues were entirely separate and the council had before it a recommendation dealing only with a car for the engineer.

Cr P. D. Dunbar said Cr Massey’s proposal was attempted blackmail by delaying one purchase until another was made.

Cr Massey’s objection and amendment was carried on a division, Cr A. F. Orme voting with the Citizens’ councillors and Cr M. R. Carter i with the Labour councillors.